Social media outrage forces PTI to expel Farooq Bandial after he was outed as Shabnam’s rapist

As the MeToo and TimesUp movements establish their foothold in politics worldwide, a politician from Punjab, who was convicted of raping film star Shabnam, has been expelled from PTI within a few hours of him joining the political party.

Farooq Bandial who had met Imran Khan in Khushab district Punjab province and officially announced to join PTI on May 30, was charged with “armed dacoity” and “gang-rape” of actress Shabnam at her house in Gulberg in 1979. Bandial was convicted along with his friends who had together broken into the film star’s house, robbed her and raped her in front of her husband and son. Initially sentenced to death in General Zia’s regime his sentence was reduced when Shabnam was allegedly pressurized by Bandial’s family into pardoning him.

As soon as Bandial’s acceptance in the party’s ranks was announced, social media light up with journalists, party members and the public all over Twitter urging PTI to not add a criminal to their ranks.

This man, Farooq Bandial, and his accomplices raped the middle aged Shabnam in front of her (now late husband) Robin Ghosh and grown up teenage son after tying them up. Convicted of raping Shabnam & lesser known actress Zamurrad. #PTI#ImranKhanpic.twitter.com/6nFzvB3SAj

Farooq Bandial the prime culprit in actress Shabnam Ji's gang rape case in Zia regime has joined PTI. The entire gang was given death sentence, but they pressurized family for pardon. After Irfanullah Marwat, it's Farooq Bandial. @PTIofficial mainstreaming rapists! pic.twitter.com/95tDmW8KNF

Farooq Bandial was free until now because most young Pakistanis did not know his background. Now that he is exposed, we need to ask why a rapist was flourishing in our politics? Which parties supported him?Also, nation needs to apologise to Madam Shabnam.

Imran Khan must act rapidly to confirm or deny if the gentleman clad in PTI flag shaking hand with him after joining PTI isn’t the convict in Film star Shabnam gang rape case , true or not this news is spreading like a wild fire pic.twitter.com/nxdmzROhmt

And with the outrage growing and the news spreading like wildfire all over Twitter, Secretary Information and Central Spokesperson of PTI Fawad Chaudhry was forced to take the case up with Chairman Imran Khan stating, “PTI will not compromise on ethical standards in any condition,” read a statement from the spokesman.”

Meanwhile, a newspaper clipping that showed Bandial in handcuffs and headlined court’s decision to sentence him in 1979, became viral on social media.

As the backlash became deafening, the politician was kicked out of PTI hours after he joined the ranks, with PTI Leader writing on Twitter: “Farooq Bandials entry into PTI was unfortunate. He has been expelled from the party with immediate effect. We have no place for people with such record in our party. He should not even be in any political party.”

As soon as Bandial’s acceptance in the party’s ranks was announced, social media light up with journalists, party members and the public all over Twitter urging PTI to not add a criminal to their ranks.

This decision was praised by people commending PTI for taking swift action against the convicted rapist. Shabnam who moved to Bangladesh shortly after the crime took place was said to begin making her comeback in Bol Entertainment’s TV series Mohini Mansion Ki Cinderella. The period drama starring Qavi Khan and Feryal Gauhar alongside Shabnam, was set to air in January 2018 but so far hasn’t been released.

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